Bhajan sopori

Born in 1948 in Srinagar, Kashmir, in a family of traditional musicians, Bhajan Sopori received his initial training in Santoor from his grandfather S.C. Sopori and later received rigorous training under his father Shambhoonath Sopori. He is among the musicians who have raised the Santoor to the level of a solo concert instrument in recent years.

Bhajan Sopori has performed in prestigious festivals in India and in England, U.S.A., Egypt, Trinidad and Tobago, and has issued a large number of gramophone records and cassettes. His style is marked by virtuosity, combining the gayaki and tantrakari aspects of music. He has also made a mark as a composer and has to his credit a number of songs and orchestral works for telefilms, documentaries, choirs and instrumental ensembles. He is at present employed as Diretor (Programmes) in All India Radio.

He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1993 and has been honoured with the Shiromani Award earlier this year.